Finland blanks Czechs, Slovakia upsets Sweden

There will be a new Olympic champion in Vancouver. For the fourth consecutive Winter Games, the defending men's gold medalists were ousted in the quarterfinals. This time, Sweden was victimized by a hungry bunch of Slovaks, who never trailed in a 4-3 win, advancing to the medal round for the first time ever. They'll meet Canada, who should be a heavy favorite after dismantling Russia 7-3.

Nobody solved Henrik Lundqvist for seven-plus periods setting an Olympic record. But once Ranger teammate Marian Gaborik did via a nifty Marian Hossa power play set up, Slovakia had little trouble beating him on three consecutive shots, including a sweet Andrej Sekera finish off a two-on-one 37 seconds later for a quick 2-zip lead at Hockey Canada Place. Before Pavol Demitra's left point power play bomb steered them back in front during a wild second that featured five goals, Sweden struck for a pair also eerily 37 ticks apart.

First, a fluky bounce allowed Peter Forsberg to get the puck behind the net and center for Patric Hornqvist, who snuck a backhand one-timer past Jaroslav Halak. The same trio combined for a Henrik Zetterberg tally when the Red Wing star centered for a cutting Forsberg with the puck deflecting off a Slovak defender. Just like that, it was knotted with Sweden pressing for more. However, Halak kept them afloat with timely stops in an odd played game that didn't have many shots. In fact, after the Slovaks beat Lundqvist, they went a long stretch without taking No.12 which saw Demitra blast one thru traffic high glove late in the period, regaining the lead.

The Swedes blew a power play opportunity that carried over into the third. Having already made one glaring mistake earlier on the second goal, this time Nick Lidstrom got caught leading directly to a three-on-one the other way. A streaking Demitra dished across for Hossa whose bid was denied by Lundqvist but he couldn't stop Tomas Kopecky who put home the rebound for 4-2. But before they could get too comfortable, the defending champs came right back when Halak misplayed a puck leading to Nicklas Backstrom setting up Daniel Alfredsson in the slot slicing it to 4-3.

From there, it became a battle to run off the clock. Opting to play smart defensive hockey which burned them earlier in the match, this time the Slovaks did a better job forcing Sweden into turnovers and attacking when they could with diligent checking from Hossa, Gaborik, Demitra and Jozef Stumpel. They nearly iced it with a point blank chance that Lundqvist denied with a quick blocker. The Swedes came close a couple of times with the Sedins nearly working their magic but Halak was strong against the post. Slovakia even made it difficult for them to pull Lundqvist with him finally on the bench with 45 ticks left. One final shot from Lidstrom almost deflected right to a teammate in front but the buzzer sounded giving Slovakia its biggest victory.

In the other late quarter, Finland prevailed over Czech Republic 2-0 backstopped by Miikka Kiprusoff's 31 saves at a much quieter UBC Thunderbird Arena. Early on, the Finns struggled on special teams, failing to capitalize on three consecutive power plays. In total, they misfired on five man-advantages instead allowing an undisciplined Czech team to stay tied after 20 minutes.

The Czechs were sharper in the second testing Kiprusoff, who made a few strong stops including a sprawling one with his legs extended. The classic unorthodox style that's seen him win a Vezina for Calgary. Each country warmed to the task at the halfway point with physicality picking up along with a mixed bag in the stands that makes European games such a fun atmosphere. The teams took turns testing both netminders with Tomas Vokoun also looking sharp as the contest remained scoreless after two.

A turning point came when Jaromir Jagr had two pointblank chances to break the tie but was blocked once and then with Kiprusoff dead to rights, fanned on the shot. No.68, who was competing in his final Winter Games, got stronger as the game went on- being moved up by former '98 Nagano captain Vladimir Ruzicka to the top line with captain Patrik Elias and Tomas Plekanec. They nearly hooked up for the game's first goal when Jagr drew defenders on a three-on-two, passing to Plekanec who dished across for an isolated Elias, who from eight feet hit the side of the net. Afterwards, the Devil looked skyward in disbelief. Unfortunately, those missed opportunitied cameback to bite them.

In a game where the refs were content to let the players decide it, a bizarre Martin Erat clear into no-man's land wound up costing Czech Republic. Finland cashed in in even more bizarre fashion when a diving Pavel Kubina prevented a scoring chance in front. However, the Atlanta defenseman lost his helmet. A no no in IIHF competition. Instead of going to take Niklas Hagman, he had to go pick up his helmet behind the net.

"A player on the ice whose helmet comes off and continues to play without a helmet without going directly to the bench will get a minor penalty," the media guide states.

It allowed Suomi to push ahead with Hagman the beneficiary, neatly deflecting home defenseman Janne Niskala's left point shot. Teemu Selanne, who also is competing in his fifth and final Olympics, discussed at length the bizarre rule which helped his country advance to the medal round for a second straight Winter Games. In Torino, they took silver.

"We play in the NHL, so you don't remember [the IIHF rule] and the team is so focused and so into the game that it's almost impossible to remember that. On the safety issue, I think it's a good rule. Hockey-wise, it's a bad rule, especially in the NHL."

 "It was obvious, in the third period, that who scored first will win the game," added a disappointed Ruzicka who supported Kubina for conforming to the odd rule.

 Trailing by a goal with under seven minutes remaining, the Czechs searched for the equalizer but it never came with Kiprusoff making another awkward stop off a crazy redirect. Ruzicka pulled Vokoun early with still 100 seconds left. It backfired. Due to his team not having clear possession which was needed to get it deep, Mikko Koivu came the other way patiently going around a Czech defender before dishing to an open Valtteri Filppula, who clinched it.

"I got a little chill," Selanne noted of Jagr's glorious chance. Not surprisingly, an emotional beared Jagr buried his head on the bench after Filppula's gimme. "You give him five chances like that; he's going to bury four. You can see that he is hurt."



"It was good for us that he lost his helmet, but it's a stupid rule," Hagman explained of his eerie decider which frustrated Kubina. "I know they want to keep it safe. [But] you lose a helmet; you should let the guy play."

Instead, the Finns march on and will meet Team USA for another possible shot at Olympic gold.

Olympic Hockey Sunday Preview

If you've been waiting for some big games, then today's terrific trio over in Vancouver should do the trick. Plenty is on the line in each.

First up at 3, Russia and the Czechs do battle with Group B hanging in the balance. A Czech Republic OT win clinches first as they'd be a perfect 3-for-3 in preliminary action. Russia needs it badly due to their shootout loss to Slovakia, who finished with wins in regulation and OT plus a loss to the Czechs for five points. If Russia loses, they finish third in the group and would be in a difficult position. They'll have Malkin reunited with Ovechkin in an attempt to boost offense against sizzling duo Jaromir Jagr and Cze captain Patrik Elias. We'll see if they can slow them down.

At 7:40 tonight, the main event takes place when Team USA takes on host Canada. It's the Americans and not Canada who's in the driver's seat. Ron Wilson's squad looks to make it a perfect 3-for-3 when they step up in competition against Crosby, Iginla, Shark trio Marleau, Jumbo Joe and Heatley, Niedermayer/Pronger and MB30 in net. Thus far, the favorites haven't looked sharp struggling mightily on the power play. Their overpassing almost cost them again against the pesky Swiss, who edged Norway yesterday 5-4 to finish third. If reunited Devil duo Parise and Langenbrunner can spark the offense, USA can win the group outright. However, if they earn only a point, it could come down to goal differential. It should be a thriller with Ryan Miller going face to face against Marty. We'll see if shifting Kane to Ryan Kesler's line gets him going in what will be an unreal atmosphere.

In the finale tonight at 9, a rivalry is renewed when Finland faces nemesis Sweden with Group C up for grabs. Both enter 2-0. So, something has to give. The Finns have been sharper with Teemu Selanne recording an assist for a new Olympic record 37 points (20-17-37). The Finnish Flash has participated in five Winter Games. Congrats to one of the classiest and best finishers the sport's had. Hope you keep playing. It should be great to see him and Saku Koivu team up against The Sedins, Lidstrom, Zetterberg, The Mule and Backstrom. Plus Foppa even if we feel he took Mikael Samuelsson's spot. The Finns will need good performances out of Olli Jokinen, both Ruutus, Joni Pitkanen and Jere Lehtinen. Plus there's the great match-up in net between Miikka Kiprusoff and Henrik Lundqvist.

Is Henrik playing hurt this year? If you go by this article back home, he might still be nursing a bad groin. How does one play 54 games and only miss a couple of starts? Plus play in the Olympics. He did rest for a shaky second game in which they held off Belarus. One thing we've noticed all year is his tendency to flop to the ice whenever the action is near his crease. Imagine if it's true? Yikes.

Anyway, the games should be great. Just one more thing. NBC. Don't screw this up!

USA comes back to beat Sweden, play Canada for Gold

Maybe someone forgot to tell Team USA that they were supposed to roll over at the sight of a more experienced Swedish team that was expected to challenge Canada for the gold. Playing for a second consecutive day against a rested and favored Sweden, USA took their best punch to string the upset- coming back to win the second 2010 WJC semifinal 5-2.

By scoring four unanswered and eliminating a very good team, it allowed the Americans to advance to a rematch with Canada. They played the best game of the tournament on New Year's Eve with the hosts digging out of a 4-2 hole to win 5-4 in a shootout. That time, it just determined who won Group A. Tomorrow night, the stakes are a lot higher with the two North American rivals vowing for a gold medal in Saskatoon. For Team USA, it's the first time they'll be vying for the WJC championship since 2004 when they came back from a 3-1 deficit to stun Canada 4-3. The infamous game where Marc-Andre Fleury misplayed a puck off teammate Braydon Coburn and in for the decider. Now, a new chapter will be written.

It sure wasn't easy getting to this point for Dean Blais's scrappy bunch who were decidedly outplayed in a flat second period that saw Sweden use their superlative skill to go in front. Consecutive goals by Anton Lander eight minutes apart off rebounds erased an early USA one-goal lead. Only 84 seconds in, Tyler Johnson took full advantage of a forced turnover by teammate Kyle Palmeiri to bury the chance. In a period they started strong in holding an 11-8 shots edge, they allowed Sweden to mount a good attack for the second half, leading to a few chances which steady netminder Mike Lee stopped in their tracks. Oddly enough, he became the story over last year's top goalie Jacob Markstrom. He didn't make as many saves as his counterpart but when called upon, Lee was cool finishing with 27 stops.

Sweden came close to tying it but a shot rang off the far post. They were just getting started. Using their speed and skill, last year's runner-up came in waves at a shaky USA who had problems dealing with the Swede's attack. Eventually, Lander got it tied when he rebounded home an Anton Rodin shot at 4:17 of the second. Peter Andersson started the rush and fed Rodin, who took a tricky low shot on Lee that caromed right to Lander for the gimme. With renewed confidence, Sweden killed off back-to-back American power plays, even using their aggressiveness to generated shorthanded chances. Superb work done by Magnus Paarjavi Svensson, Marcus Kruger and Jacob Josefson.

Unable to rebuild momentum from special teams, Team USA continued to be a couple of steps behind. Only some last second backchecks, blocked shots and Lee saves kept it tied. However, they couldn't hold off Sweden for long with Lander again striking for his second off a similar play. This time, Jakub Silfverberg forced Derek Stepan into a turnover, allowing Rodin to come out with the puck. He outmuscled Stepan releasing another low shot which Lee kicked out. But nobody took Lander, who deposited the garbage for a 2-1 Swedish lead.

At that point, it seemed like Sweden would prevail. Then Blais sent out Luke Walker for a momentum turning shift. During a scrum, the gritty Walker got into it with Martin Lundberg. Each received matching roughing minors. The unsigned kid who impressed in Ranger camp, seemed to envigorate his teammates. On the very next shift, they tied it 64 seconds later when Jeff D'Amigo finished off a two-on-one with John Carlson for the first of two on the night. A smart defensive read by Jake Gardiner behind his net got it started, feeding Carlson who then dished off for a streaking D'Amigo in the neutral zone. He then undressed David Runblad before beating Markstrom thru the pads for a huge goal with less than five minutes left.

"This is a great opportunity for us to show that we're a good team and we're here to win gold," explained the hero who was tabbed as his team's top star for his two goal performance.

Team USA hung tough after Stepan took an undisciplined minor for delay of game, relying on solid penalty killing and timely Lee saves to keep it all knotted with one period left in regulation. As the game developed, it became chippy with players from both sides mixing it up, including captain Stepan who tried to lead by example following a hard shift. Perhaps that bothered their opponent because just 39 seconds into the third, captain Marcus Johansson received a major and game misconduct for hitting a player from behind. The Swedes lost one of their best players but still managed to kill off the major. Draft eligible defenseman Cam Fowler came close a couple of times but couldn't beat Markstrom, who also got help on a point blank opportunity from his D. A Fowler slash gave the Swedes a man-advantage but they couldn't capitalize either.

With the game still tied, something changed. Suddenly, Sweden stopped attacking. Part of it was due to the US team defense with everyone coming back. Svensson used his skating to generate a couple of quality chances including a backhand wrap try Lee snuffed out. But his team just didn't come as hard. Mattias Tedenby was invisible finishing with no shots and a minus-three rating.

Instead, it was Team USA who were more poised, finally using some grunt work to surge ahead when Carlson connected from the right point with 7:26 remaining. It started with Jeremy Morin winning a battle in the corner to keep the play alive, eventually getting the puck to a vacated Carlson. He patiently waited before firing an innocent wrister which fooled Markstrom due in large part to Chris Kreider, who was in the vicinity screening. A goal Markstrom should've had instead gave the Americans a lead they wouldn't relinquish. Ryan Bourque, who had an inspired PK shift earlier in the stanza, took a delay of game minor- giving the Swedes one more chance. All tournament, Stepan has been dangerous shorthanded. On the next shift, he nearly scored before setting up D'Amigo for the nail in the coffin.

After coming close, an active stick by Stepan intercepted a pass at the point for a two-on-one. As the Ranger 2008 second rounder came down the right wing, his eyes went to Markstrom as if he were going to shoot. Instead, he made a no look pass to D'Amigo, who went upstairs for the backbreaking shorthanded goal that gave a pumped up USA a 4-2 lead with 4:28 left. The play drew praise from the NHL Network color analyst, who went out of his way to talk up our three American prospects (Kreider, Bourque). It was pretty cool. If only they could get here now instead of 2-3 years down the road.

"For us, we set a goal in Lake Placid this summer and in North Dakota where we had our tryout camp and our goal was to come out with a medal and the other was to win that gold medal," Stepan pointed out.

Desperate, Sweden pulled Markstrom with over two minutes left for an extra attacker. However, they couldn't make it interesting. Thanks in large part to some yeoman work from our players who wouldn't allow the Swedes a sniff, A.J. Jenks sealed it when he one-timed a Morin feed into the vacated net with 55 ticks to go, ensuring a USA/Canada rematch for all the marbles.

"Nobody really expects us to win because Canada has won five years in a row, so you have to tip your hats to them,"draft eligible forward Jason Zucker added. "We're going to go out there and give it our best and hopefully win a gold medal."

They'll get their shot at redemption.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Mike Lee, USA (27 saves incl.10/10 in 3rd) 
2nd Star-Anton Lander, SWE (2 goals, 4 SOG, +1)
1st Star-Jeff D'Amigo, USA (2 goals incl.GT and SHG, 3 SOG, +1)

USA-Sweden WJC Semis 9 PM

At the top of the hour, we'll be keeping an eye on the 2010 WJC second semifinal between Team USA and Sweden with the winner playing five-time defending champion Canada for all the marbles. Not surprisingly, the Canadians were too much for a cinderella Swiss team that stunned Russia yesterday, pulling off a 3-2 upset in overtime thanks to Nino Niederreiter's game-tying and sudden death winner. Benjamin Conz- who we praised earlier this tournament for his work between the pipes- was brilliant making 50 saves in the huge upset. Despite giving up six on 44 shots to Canada earlier today, he'll likely be named the tourney's top goaltender. Switzerland can finish no worse than fourth and will draw the loser for the bronze medal.

For Canada, Jordan Eberle scored and hotshot Taylor Hall lit the lamp twice. We'll try to update the condition of Islander prospect D Travis Hamonic, who left with a shoulder injury due to a hit from behind. The second Islander blueliner to be hurt on Canada. Calvin de Haan returned after missing two games but played sparingly. He'll likely see an increased role if Hamonic isn't back. Colten Teubert anchors the back end while Ryan Ellis and Alex Pietrangelo run the point on a power play that's only converted once in their last 11. That could be bad news for tonight's winner.

Team USA enters on the heels of a 6-2 quarterfinal triumph over Finland. Jordan Schroeder tallied three assists, shattering Jeremy Roenick's American WJC record 25 points. The Vancouver Canucks '09 first round pick (22nd overall) has totaled 26 points (6-20-26). Great stuff. We'll see if he can hike the total and help lead the Americans to an upset over a talented Sweden team that features Devil duo Mattias Tedenby and Jacob Josefson along with Magnus Paajarvi Svensson, Andre Petterson, Oliver Ekman Larsson, Tim Erixon and Jacob Markstrom.


Our side has gotten inspired performances from many including team captain Derek Stepan (3-8-11) and Chris Kreider (5-1-6). Two Ranger properties along with Ryan Bourque (2 A). Keep an eye on Danny Kristo and Jerry D Amigo as each has had a strong showing. It all starts now. We'll also look in on Hasan's Jets to see if they get it done. At last check, Gang Green was leading the Bengals 7-0 at the end of one. Good luck bud. :)

Canada beats US in classic

For at least one more night, Oh Canada was played as fans cheered their hockey heroes one more time for rallying back from two down to beat Team USA 5-4 in the skill competition. In front of over a record 15,000 jam packed at Saskatoon for what's looking to be a traditional WJC New Year's marquee attraction, the five-time defending champs overcame a 4-2 third period deficit to pull out the victory- winning Group A for an automatic bye into the semis.

Earlier in the day, Sweden earned the other free spot by routing US quarterfinal foe Finland 7-1, with Devil properties Jacob Josefson scoring twice and Mattias Tedenby tallying a goal and assist. Russia also defeated the Czech Republic 5-2 to setup the other quarter versus Swiss. Islander property Kiril Petrov scored a goal and assist while Blue Jacket product Nikita Filatov added two helpers. Vladimir Tarashenko had two goals and a helper.

As for the latest American-Canadian showdown, it lived up to its billing with both teams skating ferociously finishing every check in a barn burner. If last year's Canada 7-4 comeback from an early 0-3 hole was great, then this was even better featuring more twists and turns than a roller coaster. Both came out ready for this crucial test after laughers. Early on, the USA established their forecheck. But it was the hosts who got on the board first when Stefan Della-Rovere slammed home a Jordan Caron shot that got redirected by Luke Adam, caroming off Jack Campbell to Rovere for the gimme just 2:03 in.

However, the lead lasted only 1:37 with the Americans getting it right back on a power play goal from Philip McRae. With Brayden Schenn in the box, McCrae started the play down low coming out for a stuff try which Jake Allen got a piece of. But it rebounded to Jerry D Amigo, who also was denied. The puck caromed back to McRae for an easy finish. Tied up, both clubs took turns attacking. But in a seesaw period that saw Canada hold a slight 10-9 shots edge, the USA did a good job shutting down their dangerous power play by killing off two penalties, including one taken by Ranger prospect Chris Kreider that negated a man-advantage. Our great attention to detail saw them not only disrupt Ryan Ellis but blanket Taylor Hall, who was closely shadowed by junior 'mate Cam Fowler.

Sound backchecking, blocked shots and breaking up plays at last split seconds allowed the Americans to catch the Canadian points deep, generating plenty of shorthanded opportunities, including a near miss from Ryan Bourque off a nice Derek Stepan set up. A common theme throughout. Still deadlocked at one, Team USA finally made it work when Jordan Schroeder got behind for a breakaway and went five-hole on Allen for a 2-1 lead. The play was made possible by standout teammate Tyler Johnson, who after breaking up a chance, turned around in one motion and threaded the needle to the Vancouver No.22 overall '09 pick. A great heads up play for the lead.

This game had everything, including nasty hits like the one Colten Teubert delivered on an American. Both teams didn't give an inch. Trailing for the first time all tournament (they hadn't been scored on till tonight), Canada struck back thanks to Jordan Eberle's fancy backhand tuck job. Taking a Schenn pass, Eberle dashed around a D and then went to the backhand, deking Campbell for the equalizer 4:07 later. Amazingly, less than a minute later, a huge play took place when Teubert took down a cutting Kreider for a penalty shot. He had completed a hat trick versus Latvia with an off the grain forehand. He made the same move but Allen gave him nothing to Canadian fans' delight.

Team USA then ran into penalty trouble handing Canada consecutive power plays. What probably was frustrating was that while A.J. Jenks got nabbed for interference, Nazem Kadri threw him down moments earlier with no call. It didn't matter. They had to kill it. As time wound down in the second, our guys continued to attack exploiting Canada's overpinching. They again connected shorthanded when this time Johnson was the beneficiary of an inspired D Amigo rush. He flew down the left wing forcing Allen to make a stop but the puck went up in the air right off Johnson's stick and in for the shorty, coming with under 11 seconds left. Most amazing was D Amigo's presence of mind to look up at the clock as the play developed, putting them back ahead. Great stuff.

It set up one heck of a third. With Canada still on the PP, Hall nearly tied it twice on the opening shift just missing wide after slipping behind and then also coming close on a wrap around. However, as the penalty expired, Stepan made a nice defensive play and then found Danny Kristo for a big goal 61 seconds in. One of the most dangerous finishers on our side, Kristo beat the D with a great one-on-one move inside and then went five-hole pumping his fists and cheering as he passed the bench.

The problem was there was still plenty of time left. Too much for Canada to give up. Stepan came close to making it 5-2 but Allen shut the door. That gave his teammates a chance to comeback. For a while, nothing was going on except sound defensive play from Team USA. But that all changed when with under 10 minutes left, Eberle got a stick on a Schenn shot for his second of the night, cutting to 4-3. Brandon McMillan started it with a good cycle, getting a key secondary helper. With the crowd suddenly alive, the US took a timeout. Unfortunately, they couldn't stem momentum. Not even after denying Canada on another PP and getting their own with over five minutes to go.

Instead, they were way too tenative. Just as I was noting it to my Dad, here came Alex Pietrangelo taking full advantage of a sloppy turnover and then roofing a perfect laser to know it at four apiece with 4:05 remaining. The roof nearly came off the place. Amazingly, they almost won it in regulation but a goal was wiped out due to a player in the crease with like two minutes left. It would go to four-on-four overtime.

Unfortunately, nothing was decided, forcing a winner take all shootout for tops in the Group. Nothing separated the North American combatants thru two rounds with Eberle, Kristo, Kadri and Jeremy Morin all scoring. Brandon Kozun put Canada back ahead when he shot thru Campbell's wickets, leaving it all up to Schroeder. He had a fantastic game but went to the same move that worked prior. This time, Allen closed it up, allowing his team to celebrate a great victory to improve to 4-0 and an automatic bid into the Final Four.

As the Canadian anthem played, the dejection on our kids' faces said it all. They knew they had it but let Canada off the hook. Stepan still composed himself to do an interview on NHL Network. Didn't catch it. They have nothing to be ashamed of but were oh so close. Now, they must go out and beat the Finns for another possible crack at their archrival. At least it was a classic.

New Year's Puck

Tonight, 2009 ends for good. For us East coasters, it's less than seven hours till the ball drops. Apparently, that already has happened for one of our Battle teams.:P There actually is a game between the Habs and Cats now. And for any WJC followers, Tedenby and Josefson scored for Sweden against Finland. The big one takes place at 8 between USA and Canada in Saskatoon. I hope our boys pull it off silencing those nimrods who boo our team. But not holding out much hope there.

Three of four BONY teams do battle tonight. The Rangers visit the Candy Canes at 7:30 while the Islanders are in Ottawa at 7. And a possible Cup preview in the Windy City between the two best teams at present, the Devils and Blackhawks going off half an hour after the big game I'll be locked into. What? You really thought I'd be glued to my pathetic team after last night.


I'd say more but am about to head out and finally sign up for Planet Fitness. Part of my 2010 New Year's Resolutions. I want to thank Hasan, Brian and Underdog for their contributions and of course our fans. Without the readers, this blog would be useless. Thank you to all. Wishing a Happy and healthy New Year!

WJC Update

If you haven't watched the WJC, it's not too late. The games are about to get better. USA plays Canada on New Year's Eve at 8. So, both killed the comp again yesterday with the Americans handing poor Latvia a 12-1 beat down while the host Canadians hammered Slovakia 8-2 in Taylor Hall's coming out party (hat trick).

Can anyone stop Canada? Their roster is like all All-Stars from Ryan Ellis to Jordan Eberle to Alex Pietrangelo to Nazem Kadri to Brayden Schenn to Patrice Cormier to Gabriel Bourque to Brandon McMillan to Colten Teubert to Jared Cowen to Brandon Kozun to Jake Allen. Did we mention Hall now is up to seven points? Yikes. And sadly, they didn't select other potential top pick Taylor Sequin. Scary.

In USA's predictable 11-goal rout, Ranger prospects Derek Stepan and Chris Kreider continued to turn heads with the American captain scoring twice and setting up two others while the Blueshirts' 2009 No.1 pick netted a hat trick, finishing it off in style on a penalty shot (wrister shortside). Just how good are they? Let's see how each does against the best tomorrow night in Saskatoon. Btw...Canada donned green jerseys in tribute to Sask and Robyn Regehr's wife presented the Star Of The Game. Damn. She's hot! Let's just say the Calgary defenseman is a lucky man.

Who else starred yesterday? Jersey product Kyle Palmieri (Ana) had four assists. Danny Kristo (Mtl) had a pair of goals as did Jason Zucker. Jeremy Morin had a goal and assist while Jordan Schroeder (Van) tallied two helpers along with Jake Gardiner, Philip McRae, Brian Lashoff and John Ramage. Okay. You get the point.

In the one competitive game, a more experienced Sweden handled Russia 4-1. Magnus Paajarvi Svensson (Tor) netted a goal and two assists while Andre Petersson notched two markers including a rocket thru a screen that restored a two-goal lead after Islander property Kiril Petrov converted a breakaway (forehand, far side). Daniel Brodin took full advantage of a sloppy turnover, beating Igor Bobkov with 14 and a half left for the final margin. Despite Russia holding a slight edge in shots (37-32), the Swedes were the much better team, playing better defense while also attacking more effectively. Though they each were kept off the board, Devil products Mattias Tedenby and Jacob Josefson were superb cycling the puck well and generating chances. Especially the small but speedy Tedenby, who ironically donned No.9 reminding of another current Devil. So, plenty to like there.

Also standing out was defenseman Oliver-Ekman Larsson, whose superb outlets led to half the Swede output. The prettiest of which was Petersson's second off a sweet one-touch drop pass from Svensson that was started by Larsson. The Russians had ample opportunities to tie after captain Nikita Filatov (CBJ) setup Petrov with the best coming off the stick of 17 year-old Yevgeni Kuznetsov, which Jacob Markstrom (Fla) calmly tucked away for one of his 36 saves. The Swede D played Filatov physical trying to take him out of the game. But he did get involved with the assist and also a couple of other chances, finishing with an assist, four SOG and plus-one.

Also impressing us were Vyacheslav Kulemin and Vladimir Tarashenko up front along with blueliners Maxim Chudinov and Dmitri Orlov. A shame that Evgeny Grachev isn't getting to experience this great tournament, instead learning on the ropes at Hartford.

In the early game, the Czechs rolled over Austria 7-1 to get their first win. Vladimir Roth had four points (1-3-4) while Tomas Kubalik and Andrej Nestrasil each had a goal and two assists. Robert Kouzal added a goal and helper. Later today, Finland takes on Austria and the Swiss battle Latvia for a chance to pickup a victory. We're keeping an eye on New Year's with not only the USA/Canada clash but Swe/Fin and Cze/Rus with Switzerland taking on Slovakia and star Tomas Tatar (Det).

The competition should get better. So, if you want to catch some of the future, check it all out on NHL Network in The States.